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Deep dive. UK, 15 June 2026 – Opella. While nine out of ten men surveyed (92%1) use their local pharmacy, almost three-quarters (74%2) of them leave without ever discussing their health with a pharmacist, a new report has revealed. This disconnect highlights a significant opportunity to catch illnesses earlier and alleviate pressure on the NHS. The report, "An Unfilled Prescription," published by the Men’s Health Forum and supported by global consumer health leader Opella, highlights a critical opportunity to convert men's regular presence in pharmacies into greater engagement with preventative health services. With UK men’s life expectancy four years shorter than women's, and over a third dying before their 75th birthday, the findings underline the valuable role the pharmacy sector can play as part of a wider effort to improve men’s health. The research identified the main barriers preventing men from living healthier lives, which, according to the men surveyed, include: Discomfort discussing health issues in a public retail space (22%3). A perception that seeking help is a sign of weakness (33%). A common tendency to delay seeking medical advice (36%). This silence, however, can have serious consequences. Over half of the men surveyed (57%4) reported that failing to seek advice led to negative impacts on their lives, including missed work (15%) and strained personal relationships (12%). Jim Pollard, Men’s Health Forum. With the UK Government rightly hoping to leverage pharmacies to relieve pressure on the NHS, this report is a clear call to action. We are committed to ensuring all men can live healthier, longer lives, and the key message for men is that pharmacy is for you. It is a far better source of health advice and information than, for example, AI, which simply cannot be recommended. By addressing the specific barriers preventing men from seeking advice, we can unlock the potential of pharmacies to become the front door to the health system for them. In response to the findings, the Men’s Health Forum has developed a practical five-step plan to help pharmacies better engage men and transform their stores into trusted health hubs. The plan was developed with feedback from pharmacists, nearly all of whom reported facing barriers to engaging male customers. The report calls on pharmacies to: 1. Create a Welcoming Space. Designate a clearly advertised private consulting room to ensure confidentiality. 2. Appoint a Champion. Nominate a 'Men’s Health Champion' trained in discussing men's health issues. 3. Offer Dedicated Services. Introduce dedicated services like 'men's health MOTs' and other tailored check-ups. 4. Improve Access & Guarantee Privacy. Review opening hours and implement online booking systems to offer flexibility and discretion. 5. Engage the Community Proactively. Actively reach out to men in the local community rather than waiting for them to ask for help. Nick Linton, UK Country Head, Opella. Community pharmacies are the frontline of our health service, and we are committed to supporting them. We welcome these recommendations, which provide clear, actionable guidance. Ensuring pharmacy meets its full potential will require a collaborative effort across government, regulators, and companies like Opella, and we are ready to play our par. The report found that men are willing to engage if the environment is right. Around a quarter of men surveyed said they would be more likely to talk to a pharmacist if they knew the conversation was private (24%) and that they could be referred to the NHS if needed (26%). Jim Pollard at Men’s Health Forum, conclude: It is vital that we get this right. We stand ready to work with pharmacies to make sure this opportunity isn’t missed. About Opella. Opella is the self-care challenger with the purest and third-largest portfolio in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally. Our mission is to bring health in people’s hands by making self-care as simple as it should be. For half a billion consumers worldwide – and counting. At the core of this mission is our 100 loved brands, our 11,000-strong global team, our 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers. Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many of the world’s most loved brands, including Allegra, Buscopan, Doliprane, Dulcolax, Enterogermina, Essentiale and Mucosolvan. B Corp certified globally, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet. Find out more about our mission at www.opella.com About Men's Health Forum. The Men's Health Forum's mission is to improve the health of men and boys in England, Wales and Scotland. To this end, we carry out research, raise awareness, work to change health policy, share and encourage the latest good practice, work with other charities and provide health information and advice to men through our website, training, Men's Health Week and our Man Manuals. Find out more at https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk. Press Contacts. Charlotte Messer. Charlotte.Messer@opella.com. +447928700277. Laura Webster. Laura.Webster@opella.com. +447740935106. All trademarks mentioned in this press release are the property of Opella. Methodology: The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1675 respondents aged 18-65. The data was collected between 24.10.2025 - 27.10.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council. pdf version.

Deep dive. Paris, June 9, 2026. Opella announces the non-prescription approval of Cialis® in Japan, a significant milestone that facilitates access to erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment for millions of men1. This follows the recent successful switch of Cialis® to an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine in Norway and the UK, reinforcing Opella's commitment to empowering consumers with trusted self-care solutions globally. ED is a common yet often under-discussed condition, with an estimated 322 million men2 living with the condition globally. In Japan alone, approximately 1 in 2 men are living with ED. Beyond its impact on sexual health, clinical research increasingly identifies ED as a hallmark and potential early warning sign of underlying cardiovascular disease3. The transition of Cialis® to an OTC product aims to provide a safe and reliable option for men, helping to combat the risks associated with purchasing counterfeit or unauthorized treatments online, by bringing patients back into the regulated healthcare system. Recent global research4 across six countries highlights a critical gap in understanding the condition. While 70-80% of men in the U.S. and Sweden understand the medical definition of ED, awareness is significantly lower in other markets. Yet, the desire for solutions is universal, with 90% of people globally viewing sexual wellbeing as vital to overall happiness. By expanding OTC access, Opella aims to bridge this education gap, break down societal stigmas, and empower men to reclaim their wellbeing. Dr Josephine Fubara, Chief Science Officer at Opella: This approval for non-prescription status in Japan represents more than just a local milestone, it is a crucial step forward in our broader mission to make healthcare more accessible on a global scale. Following the successful switch in Norway and the UK, we are committed to bringing this trusted treatment to men by expanding over-the-counter access. By shifting proven treatments from prescription to pharmacy shelves, we are fundamentally changing how men access care, putting science-backed solutions directly into their hands, safely guided by pharmacist expertise. According to a study by the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF), self-care practices currently save global healthcare systems nearly $120 billion annually and free up 1.8 billion physician hours5. By moving proven, well-established treatments from the clinic to pharmacy shelves, it can alleviate the strain on primary care providers, while enabling individuals to take faster, more autonomous action over their health. After 20 years of trusted use as a prescription ED treatment in Japan and over 100 countries globally, Cialis® will soon be available over-the-counter. The non-prescription approval was granted to SSP Co., Ltd., an Opella company, with launch planning currently underway to bring the medicine to shelves in the coming months. Classified as a 'Pharmacist-Intervention Required Medicine,' the switch ensures that men will receive the necessary guidance and information directly from a healthcare professional at the point of purchase. Alberto Hernandez, Chief Growth Officer at Opella: Rx-to-OTC switches are an important pillar of Opella’s growth strategy and by successfully launching Cialis without a prescription in markets like Japan and Norway, we demonstrate our ability to unlock new categories and bring trusted self-care brands directly to the consumers who need it. For Opella, non-prescription switch is a strategic growth driver. Backed by rigorous safety and efficacy data submitted to national health authorities, well-targeted switches like those in the UK, Norway and Japan, advance Opella's commitment to simplifying healthcare and expanding access to trusted treatments. About Opella. Opella is the self-care challenger with the purest and third-largest portfolio in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally. Our mission is to bring health in people’s hands by making self-care as simple as it should be. For half a billion consumers worldwide – and counting. At the core of this mission is our 100 loved brands, our 11,000-strong global team, our 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers. Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many of the world’s most loved brands, including Allegra, Buscopan, Doliprane, Dulcolax, Enterogermina, Essentiale and Mucosolvan. B Corp certified globally, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet. Find out more about our mission at www.opella.com. Press contacts. Justine Rohée. justine.rohee@sanofi.com. +33 6 86 47 85 60. Natacha Kalasa. natacha.kalasa@sanofi.com. +33 6 72 16 64 61. Philippa Carnohan. philippa.carnohan@opella.com. +33 6 31 14 82 36. Cialis PR Office (Japan). cialis_pr@vectorinc.co.jp. +81 3-5572-6071. pdf version.